Welcome to Dosti!

Introduction: Welcome to Dosti, your social connection platform. By accessing or using our services, you agree to comply with these terms. This means you accept the responsibilities and rules that come with being a part of our community. Our goal is to provide a safe, engaging, and respectful environment for all users. Whether you're connecting with friends, sharing your thoughts, or discovering new interests, Dosti aims to be your go-to platform for meaningful social interactions. 

Guidelines for User Behavior: 

1. Be respectful and considerate: 

• Interpersonal Interactions: Treat all users with kindness and respect, regardless of differences in opinion, background, or beliefs. Constructive dialogue and polite discourse are encouraged. 

• Avoid Offensive Language: Avoid using language or behavior that could be considered offensive, discriminatory, or harmful. This includes hate speech, bullying, and harassment. 

• Positive Environment: Foster a positive and inclusive environment for all community members. Encouraging supportive interactions and discouraging negative or toxic behavior helps maintain a healthy community. 

• Cultural Sensitivity: Be aware of and respect cultural differences. What may be acceptable in one culture could be offensive in another, so approach cross-cultural interactions with sensitivity.

2. Do not engage in any unlawful activities: 

• Compliance with Laws: Ensure that your activities on Dosti comply with all local, state, national, and international laws. Users must not engage in illegal activities such as hacking, phishing, or distributing illegal substances. 

• Prohibited Activities: Prohibited activities include but are not limited to, fraud, harassment, stalking, and the distribution of illegal substances or materials. Users are responsible for knowing and understanding the laws applicable to their use of Dosti. 

• Reporting Unlawful Activity: If you witness or become aware of unlawful activities on the platform, report them to Dosti’s support team immediately. This helps us maintain a safe environment for all users.

3. Respect intellectual property rights: 

• Original Content: Share only content that you own or have permission to use. This includes images, videos, music, and written works. 

• Copyright Compliance: Do not post or distribute copyrighted materials, trademarks, or any other protected intellectual property without authorization. This applies to both direct uploads and content shared through links. 

• Attribution: Give credit to original creators when sharing content that is not your own. Proper attribution is essential to respect the work and rights of other creators. 

• User Generated Content: When users create and share their own content, they should ensure it does not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. This includes using royalty-free music, images, and other media when applicable.

4. Do not use Dosti for spam or unwanted solicitations: 

• Relevant Messaging: Avoid sending repetitive or irrelevant messages to users. Spamming other users with unsolicited messages is prohibited. 

• Permission for Promotions: Refrain from advertising or promoting products, services, or events without the explicit permission of Dosti or the users you are contacting. Users should opt-in to receive such communications. 

• User Preferences: Respect the wishes of users who indicate they do not want to receive solicitations. Continuing to send unwanted messages after a user has opted out is a violation of our terms. 

• Spam Filters: Dosti employs automated systems to detect and filter out spam. Users should not attempt to circumvent these systems. 

Content Usage 

Ownership and Platform Use of Content: 

5. Content shared on Dosti remains the property of the user: 

• User Rights: Users maintain full ownership and control over the content they post. You can manage, edit, or delete your content at any time. 

• Licensing to Dosti: By posting content, you grant Dosti a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content within the platform. This license allows us to showcase your content in ways that enhance the user experience. 

• Control and Removal: You have the right to delete your content at any time. Once deleted, Dosti will remove your content from our servers within a reasonable timeframe, although some residual copies may remain in backup storage for a limited period. 

• Content Integrity: Users are encouraged to keep their content respectful and appropriate. Offensive or inappropriate content may be removed by Dosti to maintain community standards.

6. Dosti may use aggregated data for analytics and improvement: 

• Data Analysis: Dosti will analyze data from multiple users to understand trends, improve services, and enhance user experience. This aggregated data helps us identify what features are popular, detect potential issues, and innovate new functionalities. 

• Privacy Protection: Individual user data will be anonymized in these analyses to protect privacy. No personal identifying information will be included in aggregated data used for analytics. 

• Service Enhancement: Insights derived from aggregated data help us make data-driven decisions to enhance platform features and functionality, ultimately benefiting the user community by providing a more tailored and efficient service. 

• Transparency: Dosti is committed to transparency regarding how user data is utilized. Users can review our data usage policies in detail within our privacy policy documentation. 

Security 

Protecting User Accounts and Platform Integrity: 

7. Protect your account information: 

• Strong Passwords: Use a strong, unique password and change it regularly. Strong passwords typically include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. 

• Two-Factor Authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) if available for added security. 2FA provides an additional layer of protection by requiring a second form of verification. 

• Phishing Awareness: Do not share your login credentials with anyone and be cautious of phishing attempts. Always verify the source of any communication requesting your login details. 

• Account Monitoring: Regularly monitor your account for any unauthorized activity. If you notice any suspicious behavior, change your password immediately and contact Dosti support.

8. Report any security vulnerabilities responsibly: 

• Immediate Reporting: If you discover a vulnerability or security issue within the platform, report it immediately to Dosti’s support team. Prompt reporting helps us address issues quickly. 

• Responsible Disclosure: Do not exploit or share the vulnerability with others. Responsible disclosure ensures that vulnerabilities are fixed without being exposed to potential abuse. 

• Acknowledgment and Action: Dosti will acknowledge and address reported vulnerabilities promptly to maintain platform security. We value the contributions of our users in helping keep the platform safe. 

• Reward Programs: In some cases, Dosti may offer rewards or recognition for users who responsibly disclose security vulnerabilities. This encourages proactive involvement in maintaining platform security. 

Termination 

Account Suspension and Termination: 

• We reserve the right to terminate accounts for violation of terms: 

• Enforcement: Dosti may suspend or terminate your account if you violate the terms of service, especially those related to unlawful activities, disrespectful behavior, or security breaches. Enforcement actions are taken to protect the community and maintain platform integrity. 

• Warnings and Notices: Users will typically receive warnings for minor violations, but severe or repeated breaches may result in immediate termination. We aim to educate users on acceptable behavior before resorting to account termination. 

• Appeal Process: Terminated users may appeal the decision by contacting Dosti’s support team. Appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, and users are given an opportunity to present their case for reinstatement. 

• Reinstatement Conditions: Users who successfully appeal may have their accounts reinstated under specific conditions, such as agreeing to abide by additional terms or restrictions to prevent future violations. 

Privacy Terms 

Handling User Information and Privacy: 

User Information: 

9. We collect user data necessary for service functionality: 

• Essential Data: Data collected includes basic information like your name, email address, and profile details necessary to provide our services. Additional information may be collected to enhance user experience. 

• Interaction Data: We may also collect information about your interactions with the platform, such as usage patterns, to improve user experience and service delivery. 

• Privacy Focus: We prioritize user privacy and only collect data that is essential for the functionality and improvement of the platform. We avoid collecting unnecessary personal information. 

• Data Minimization: Our data collection practices follow the principle of data minimization, ensuring that we only gather the information we need to provide and enhance our services. 

10. What Happens with Your Contacts When You Grant Access to Dosti

• When you upload or sync your contacts to Dosti, we process certain information from the contacts available in your device's address book. This includes names, mobile phone numbers, and/or email addresses of both your contacts who are Dosti users and those who aren’t. This process happens every time you grant access to your address book, and we use this information to enhance your experience within Dosti.
• How Contact Uploading Works:
  • Granting Access: When you give Dosti access to your device's address book, we collect and upload the names, phone numbers, and/or email addresses of your contacts to our servers. This includes both users of Dosti and those who aren't users (non-users).
  • Processing Contact Information: We process this information to identify if any of your contacts are already Dosti users. If they are, we might suggest connecting with them within the app. For non-users, we may suggest inviting them to join Dosti via text or email.
  • Security and Integrity: We also use the uploaded address book to investigate suspicious activities and to keep our platform safe. Additionally, the data helps us improve our services through business intelligence and analytics, enabling us to accurately count active users of Dosti.
• Non-Users' Information:
  • What We Collect: If your contact is a non-user, we collect their name, mobile phone number, and/or email address from your address book.
  • How We Use Non-Users' Information: Your non-user contacts may be suggested as potential connections when they join Dosti in the future. We also use their contact details to enhance our platform's functionality, such as inviting them to join Dosti.
  • Sharing of Information: We may share the data we collect with other services within our platform and systems to ensure the contact import feature works as intended.
• Data Retention:
  • We retain non-user contact information as long as needed to provide the contact import functionality and for purposes outlined in this notice. In certain situations, we may keep this data longer for legal, regulatory, or security reasons.
• Your Rights and Choices:
  • You can exercise your rights regarding your contacts' data, including contacting us directly for inquiries or requesting changes. We are committed to respecting your privacy and safeguarding your data.
• Global Data Transfers:
  • Your data may be stored or processed in different locations around the world, including our data centers. We rely on appropriate safeguards for data transfer, in compliance with applicable laws, to ensure your data is protected.

11. How Dosti Handles Uploaded Contact Information and Connections 

• When you use Dosti and grant us access to your contacts and connections, here’s how we manage the data: 

  • Information We Collect About Your Friends, Followers, and Connections: 

    • We gather information about your interactions with friends, followers, groups, and other communities on Dosti. This includes: 

    • Who you’re connected to and how you engage with them. 

    • The frequency and nature of your interactions. 

    • The groups, events, or pages you follow and engage with the most. 

  • Information We Collect About Contacts: 

    • If you choose to upload or sync your contacts with Dosti, we collect: 

    • Names, email addresses, and phone numbers of your contacts. 

    • This data helps us connect you with people you know and enhance your experience on Dosti. 

  • What Happens If Your Contacts Don’t Use Dosti: 

    • Even if some of your contacts aren’t Dosti users or don’t have an account, their information may still be collected if you upload it. This helps us: 

    • Suggest these contacts to you when they join Dosti. 

    • Facilitate connections by providing relevant suggestions. 

  • How We Use Information About You Based on Others' Activity: 

    • We also collect and infer information about you based on how others interact with you on Dosti. For example: 

    • If you and another user appear in a mutual contact's uploaded address book, we might suggest you connect with each other. 

    • We might suggest you join a group if your friends are already members. 

  • Managing Your Contacts: 

    • You can upload, manage, or delete your contacts at any time. This helps you control how Dosti uses your information and maintain your privacy preferences. 

12. How Dosti Handles App, Browser, and Device Information 

• When you use Dosti, we collect and receive various information from your devices, apps, and browsers to enhance your experience and ensure the platform's functionality. Here’s a breakdown of what we collect and how we use it: 
  • Device Information We Collect: 
    • Device and Software Details: We gather information about the type of device and software you’re using, including unique device characteristics. 
    • Usage Activity: We track how you interact with Dosti on your device, such as whether our app is in the foreground or if you’re actively using it. This helps us differentiate between human users and automated bots. 
    • Device Identifiers: We use unique identifiers to distinguish your device from others. This includes Family device IDs to maintain consistency across your connected devices. 
    • Device Signals: Signals from your device, like accelerometer data, help improve the app's responsiveness and functionality. 
    • Settings-Based Information: If you’ve granted us access to certain device features like GPS location, camera, and photos, we collect this data to enhance app functionality (e.g., location-based services, photo sharing). 
  • Network and Connection Information: 
    • Network Details: We collect information about the network you use to connect to Dosti, such as your internet service provider and connection speed. 
    • Approximate Location: Even if you turn off location services, we may use your IP address to estimate your general location for better content delivery and security purposes. 
  • Performance and Cookies: 
    • Product Performance: We monitor how well Dosti performs on your device to identify and fix issues, ensuring a smooth user experience. 
    • Cookies and Similar Technologies: We use cookies to remember your preferences, enhance your experience, and provide personalized content. 

13. How Dosti Uses Location-Related Information 

• When you enable Location Services for Dosti, we collect and use location-related information to enhance your experience on the platform. Here's how we handle this information: 

  • Location Information We Collect: 

    • GPS Location: If you turn on Location Services, we collect precise location data from your device’s GPS to provide location-based features and services. 

    • Additional Location Data: Depending on your device's operating system, we may also collect other location-related data such as Wi-Fi access points and Bluetooth signals to improve location accuracy. 

  • Location Data We Use Without Location Services: 

    • IP Address: Even if Location Services are turned off, we use your IP address to estimate your general location. In some cases, we may use this information to approximate your specific location, particularly if it's necessary for security purposes. 

    • Activity-Based Location: We gather location-related information based on your and others' activities, such as check-ins and events you participate in on Dosti. 

    • User-Provided Location Data: If you manually enter location information, such as your city or address (e.g., in Marketplace listings), we use this data to personalize your experience. 

• How We Use Location-Related Information: 

  • Personalization and Improvement: Your location helps us provide, personalize, and improve Dosti’s features, including content and advertisements tailored to your preferences and whereabouts. 

  • Security and Safety: We use location data to detect and respond to suspicious activities, enhancing the security of your account and ensuring the safety of the Dosti community. 

14. Your information is kept secure, and we do not sell it to third parties: 

• Data Protection: Dosti implements industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include encryption, access controls, and regular security audits. 

• No Selling of Data: Your data will never be sold to third parties for marketing or any other purposes. We believe in earning user trust through transparent and ethical data practices. 

• Service Providers: Any data sharing with third-party service providers is strictly for service provision and is governed by strict confidentiality agreements. These providers are required to maintain the confidentiality and security of your data. 

• Data Retention: We retain user data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected. Users can request deletion of their data at any time, subject to our data retention policies. 

Cookies: 

We use cookies for improved user experience and analytics: 

• Functionality Cookies: Cookies help us remember your preferences, login details, and enhance your navigation on the platform. This includes things like language settings and saved preferences. 

• Analytical Cookies: Analytical cookies help us understand how users interact with the platform, allowing us to improve our services. These cookies provide insights into user behavior, such as most visited pages and time spent on the platform. 

• Managing Cookies: Users can manage their cookie preferences through their browser settings, but disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some features. We provide guidance on how to manage cookie settings to suit individual preferences. 

• Third-Party Cookies: Some third-party services integrated with Dosti may use their own cookies. Users should review the cookie policies of these third-party services to understand their practices. 

Third-Party Services: 

Dosti may integrate with third-party services; their terms apply: 

• Integration Examples: When you use third-party services integrated with Dosti, such as payment processors, social media platforms, and analytics providers, you are also subject to their terms and privacy policies. 

• Careful Selection: We carefully select third-party partners to ensure they align with our standards for privacy and security. Partner services are chosen for their reliability and commitment to user privacy. 

• Seamless Experience: Integrations are designed to enhance user experience while maintaining high standards of data protection. We monitor third-party compliance with privacy commitments. 

• Data Sharing Limitations: We limit the amount of personal data shared with third parties to what is necessary for the integration to function properly. 

Communications: 

We may send service-related communications: 

• Account Notifications: Users will receive communications related to their account, such as verification emails, password reset instructions, and important notifications. These communications are essential for account security and functionality. 

• Service Updates: We may also send updates about new features, policy changes, and other relevant information. Keeping users informed about platform developments is part of our commitment to transparency. 

• Communication Preferences: Users can manage their communication preferences through account settings, but some essential notifications may be mandatory. We provide options for users to customize the types of communications they receive. 

• Marketing Communications: Users can opt-in to receive marketing communications about new features, events, and promotions. These preferences can be changed at any time. 

Children's Privacy: 

Dosti is not intended for users under 13: 

• No Data Collection: We do not knowingly collect or store personal information from children under the age of 13. Our platform is designed for users aged 13 and above to comply with child protection regulations. 

• Parental Responsibility: If we become aware that a user under 13 has provided personal information, we will take steps to delete such information promptly. Parents and guardians should supervise their children's online activities. 

• Reporting Unauthorized Accounts: Parents and guardians should report any unauthorized accounts to Dosti’s support team. We will take appropriate action to ensure compliance with our age policy. 

• Educational Resources: Dosti may provide resources to help parents and guardians educate their children about safe online practices. 

Data Access Requests: 

Users can request access, correction, or deletion of their data: 

• Data Access: Users have the right to know what personal data we hold about them and can request a copy of this data. We provide a straightforward process for users to request access to their information. 

• Data Correction: If any information is inaccurate or outdated, users can request corrections. Accurate data helps us provide better services and ensures user records are up-to-date. 

• Data Deletion: Users can also request the deletion of their data, and Dosti will comply unless there are legitimate reasons to retain it (e.g., for legal obligations). We respect user rights to control their personal information. 

• Request Process: Data access, correction, and deletion requests can be made through our support team or directly via account settings. We strive to respond to such requests promptly and efficiently. 

Changes to Privacy Policy: 

We may update our privacy policy; users will be notified: 

• Periodic Updates: Periodic updates to the privacy policy may be necessary to reflect changes in laws, services, or user feedback. We aim to keep our privacy practices current and transparent. 

• User Notification: Users will be notified of significant changes through the platform or via email. We ensure that users are informed about how their data is handled and any changes to our policies. 

• Review and Feedback: Users are encouraged to review policy changes and provide feedback if needed. We value user input and consider it when updating our policies. 

• Continued Use: Continued use of the platform after updates signifies acceptance of the revised privacy policy. We encourage users to review policy changes and provide feedback if needed. 

Summary 

These expanded terms provide detailed guidelines to ensure a safe, respectful, and secure environment on Dosti. By adhering to these terms, users contribute to a positive community experience, protect their privacy, and engage responsibly with the platform. Dosti is committed to transparency, user privacy, and continuous improvement to meet the needs of our diverse user base. Our terms aim to protect users' rights, foster a respectful community, and ensure the platform remains a trusted space for social connections.